Al-Ahli Jeddah Hit by Fifth Absence Ahead of Al-Fayha Clash
Al-Ahli Jeddah’s injury crisis has deepened just before their crucial Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fayha. The club will be without full-back Zakaria Hawsawi, who failed a late fitness test and missed the squad list for Wednesday’s game at Majmaah Sports City Stadium. This marks his second consecutive absence after sitting out last weekend’s 3-0 win over Damak due to a knee issue picked up during international duty with Saudi Arabia.
Mounting Defensive Woes
Hawsawi’s exclusion isn’t an isolated case—it’s the fifth confirmed absence for Al-Ahli ahead of this fixture. The backline is especially thin: Brazilian center-back Roger Ibañez and Turkish defender Merih Demiral remain sidelined, while Saudi right-back Ali Majrashi is also unavailable. To make matters worse, French midfielder Valentin Atangana won’t feature either. That’s three defenders and two midfielders missing from what’s already a high-stakes encounter.
Al-Ahli currently sit third in the Roshen League with 65 points—level on points with second-placed Al-Hilal but trailing leaders Al-Nassr by five. Every point matters as the title race tightens, and defensive stability could be the difference between chasing silverware or falling behind.
What This Means for Tactics
Without Hawsawi, manager Pitso Mosimane faces tough choices at left-back. Possible solutions include:
- Shifting an existing central defender wide (risky against pacey wingers)
- Deploying a more defensive-minded midfielder to cover the flank
- Pushing a winger into a hybrid full-back role, sacrificing width in attack
Any of these options disrupts balance. Al-Fayha may sense vulnerability down that side, especially if Al-Ahli’s makeshift defense struggles with cohesion.
Bigger Picture: Title Race Implications
A loss or even a draw here could effectively end Al-Ahli’s title hopes. With Al-Hilal breathing down their neck and Al-Nassr showing no signs of slowing, dropping points against mid-table Al-Fayha would be a major setback. The pressure is amplified by the fact that Al-Ahli have been solid defensively this season—but that strength is now compromised.
Fans are understandably anxious. Social media buzz highlights concerns over depth, especially in defense where injuries have struck hardest. Yet there’s also cautious optimism: the team did manage a clean sheet last weekend despite missing key players, suggesting tactical flexibility might carry them through.
Key Takeaways
- Zakaria Hawsawi is confirmed out for Al-Ahli’s match vs. Al-Fayha due to a knee injury.
- Total absences now stand at five: three defenders (Hawsawi, Ibañez, Demiral, Majrashi) and one midfielder (Atangana).
- Al-Ahli are locked in a tight battle for the league title, sitting third but only five points off top spot.
- Defensive reshuffling could expose weaknesses Al-Fayha might exploit.
- Despite setbacks, Al-Ahli showed resilience in their last outing with a 3-0 win and clean sheet.
While this isn’t a signal strong enough to shift betting odds dramatically—most absentees aren’t the singular star whose presence defines outcomes—the cumulative effect of losing nearly half a backline can’t be ignored. For neutral observers, it adds intrigue; for Al-Ahli supporters, it’s a test of squad depth at the worst possible time.
— Editorial Team
